Asia and Europe contributed double-digit increases to the world materials handling equipment market's growth of 14 per cent for the first nine months of 2006, Jungheinrich AG says.

The Hamburg-headquartered forklift manufacturer said in a statement on the group's third quarter result that the market grew from 554,300 units to 632,200 units. Forklift demand in Europe increased 15 per cent from 225,300 units to 259,100 units.

Growth in eastern Europe of 47 per cent "strongly benefited from developments in Russia ... outstripping the momentum displayed in western Europe (10 per cent)".

Asia posted an 18 per cent growth, with China's increase in demand of 35 per cent being the main driver.

The North American market grew 9 per cent.

Jungheinrich forecast the world market would swell to more than 800,000 by the end of 2006.